Microsoft Releases System Center Configuration Manager Update 1610 -- Redmondmag.com

Microsoft Releases System Center Configuration Manager Update 1610

By Kurt Mackie
11/18/2016

Microsoft on Friday announced the availability of Update 1610 for its System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) client and server management system.

The release is the next "current branch" of the product, and is supported by Microsoft for one year. Existing users will see it arriving in SCCM's Updates and Servicing node, when it's available in "the coming weeks," according to Microsoft's announcement. Alternatively, a PowerShell script can deliver it faster for those users.

The last current branch release for SCCM was Update 1606 in July. Microsoft updates SCCM "as a service" somewhat like Windows 10, except that it just releases current branches of SCCM a few times per year. Organizations must shift to the next current branch release of SCCM within a year's time to continue to receive patches from Microsoft.

Update 1610 has already been tested in production environments, Microsoft's announcement claimed, with "nearly 1 million devices" currently being managed with it.

This release has some dashboard-type additions. SCCM 1610 works with Windows 10 Upgrade Analytics, a capability of the Microsoft Operations Management Suite introduced in July that assesses application compatibility, drivers and computer readiness for Windows 10 migrations. It also has Office 365 Servicing Dashboard improvements for deploying Office 365 apps, along with Software Updates Compliance Dashboard improvements to show the compliance state of devices, according to Microsoft's announcement.

Other highlights, per Microsoft's announcement, include the ability to use the Microsoft Azure Cloud Management Gateway service with SCCM 1610, which "provides a simple way to manage Configuration Manager clients on the Internet," according to Microsoft's "What's new" document.

There's also support with Update 1610 for a Client Peer Cache, a new solution for deploying content to remote clients. IT pros can deploy settings to a client and have it act as a peer for delivering content to "other clients in the same boundary group."

Also added are new features for organizations that use SCCM with Intune, Microsoft's mobile management service. For instance, it's now possible to "add and deploy online-licensed paid apps in addition to the free apps in Window Store for Business."

Many more details are described in Microsoft's "What's new" document.

About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

Featured

Using Configuration Files to Control PowerShell Scripts, Part 2: Building Blocks

Learn how to use PowerShell's GUI capabilities to dynamically create configuration files that enhance script flexibility and usability.
U.S. House Leaders Unveil Bipartisan Strategy for AI Governance and Innovation

On Tuesday, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries received the final report from the bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, which outlines essential principles and recommendations to bolster American leadership in AI.
Using Configuration Files to Control PowerShell Scripts, Part 1: The Basics

Learn how to use JSON configuration files to make PowerShell scripts more dynamic, flexible and user-friendly.
Exchange Online Receiving Enhanced Message Trace

Microsoft has announced the public preview of its enhanced Message Trace feature in the Exchange admin center (EAC) for Exchange Online.
Major Microsoft Multifactor Authentication Vulnerability Revealed

A vulnerability in Microsoft’s multifactor authentication (MFA) system has been uncovered by cybersecurity firm Oasis Security, allowing attackers to bypass security measures and access sensitive data across services including Outlook, OneDrive, Teams and Azure.